Diseased tree should be dealt with

July 18, 2012

Our La Cañada Flintridge city manager recently stated that the city does not have financial responsibility for city-owned trees that damage private property. That is troubling.

Several years ago, we contacted the city about a diseased tree across the street from our residence at 2040 Hilldale Drive. The city-hired arborist declared the eucalyptus tree diseased and slowly dying. City officials said the tree was on private property and notified the owner of the problem. The owner responded that the tree was on city street right of way. The city then replied that the complaining resident would need to provide a current survey showing street and property lines. Now it seems that establishing ownership of the tree would not bring a solution to the threat of damage to life and property.

The tree, whose base is some 10 feet above the roadbed, towers approximately 60 feet to the crown. For a height of 50 feet, its trunk is split and its branches are dead. Its leaves are full of scale.

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Is anyone interested in a tree that could be a fire hazard, and a health and safety hazard?